Automobile wheel washer



Oct. 25, 1960 B. F. ALMOND AUTOMOBILE WHEEL WASHER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Feb. l5, 1954 Oct. 25, 1960 B. F. ALMOND AUTOMOBILE WHEEL WASHERi5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 15, 1954 Oct. 25, 1960 B. F. ALMONDAUTOMOBILE WHEEL WASHER 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. l5, 1954 IN V ENTOR.

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AUTOMOBILE WHEEL WASHER Filed Feb. 15, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I JNVENTOR,5v/RMN HAM/van@ United States Fatent AUTOMOBILE WHEEL WASHER Burton F.Almond, Inglewood, Calif. (624 E. Evergreen St., Monrovia, Calif.)

Filed Feb. 15, 1954, Ser. No. 410,147

Claims. (Cl. 15-302) This-invention relates to a wheel washer and moreparticularly to a device designed for use in conjunction with automaticautomobile washing machines for quickly, thoroughly and economicallyWashing wheels of said automobiles during the passage of saidautomobiles through the automatic automobile washing machinery.

Itis accordingly one purpose of this invention to provide means forautomatically washing the wheels of automobiles while said automobilesare in transit through an automobile washing device.

It is a feature of this invention that the rate at which the Wheels ofsaid automobiles can be washed by the present invention is greatlyincreased over the rate of machines Washed by mechanism heretofore usedfor this purpose.

It is a further feature of this invention that means are providedassociated with the wheel washing mechanism for accommodating varioussize wheels and various width automobiles.

It is another feature of this inventionV that means are provided inconjunction with a wheel washing mechanism for automatically returningsaid wheel washing mechanism in position for succeeding wheels as acompletely washed Wheel is disengaged from the mechanism,

It is another feature of this invention that said return means isarranged to operate much faster than the original movement thereof, soas to condition the mechanism for receipt of a second, closely followingWheel.

It is another vfeature of this invention that shockabsorbing means arearranged to cushion said rapid return movement.

The invention is characterized by the fact that steam and detergent areapplied to the wheels of the vehicle as the vehicle travels through theWash rack, the steam and detergent applying means traveling with thevehicle and then returning to wash another Wheel.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will beapparent from Va detailed description in connection with the drawings,in which:

Figure 1 is a plan View of the device embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a portion of themechanism shown in Figure l.

Figure 3 is a section taken along the line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view of another portion of the invention.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view of another portion of the inventionwith the brush assembly in its active position.

Figure 6 is a section taken on the line 6.--6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a side View of the wheel washer proper.

Figure 8 is a section taken on the line 8 8 of Figure 2.

Figure 9 is a section taken on the line 9 9 of Figure l.

Figure l0 is an enlarged side view showing the application of the brushto a wheel.

Figure 11 is a plan view of the control mechanism.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown anautomobile wash rack indicated generally by the numeral 2t) which isconventionally provided with a traveling chain 21 which is connected bysuitable cable mechanism to a portion of the automobile to be washed toadvance the automobile through the wash rack. AInterposed in the path ofthe automobile is a wheel washing mechanism indicated generally by thenumeral 22. The automobile traveling through the rack will travel withits wheel on a track 24 and, when arriving at the wheel washingmechanism 22, the wheel will travel over and be seated on a pair ofrollers 25 and 26. The rollers 25 and 26 are mounted upon bearings 27(see Figure 9) and shafts 28, which shafts 28 carry flanged wheels 29mounted on tracks 30. The rollers 25 and 26 extend completely across therack; and, while there will be described and is illustrated mechanismfor washing the wheels of the right-hand side of the automobile, it willbe appreciated that this mechanism is duplicated on the left-hand sidefor the washing of the left-hand wheels of the automobile.

Intermediate its ends the roller 25 is provided with a sprocketV 31preferably welded thereto, and an electromotor-32 (see Figure 2) drivesa chain 33, which chain 33 passes over the sprocket 31 and a drivesprocket 34 mounted-on the output shaft of the electromotor 32. Theelectromotor is provided with a fluid coupling 3S for shock-absorbingpurposes. The output shaft of the electromotor 32 is also connected to asimple overriding clutch 36 for establishing connection between theoutput shaft of the motor and a double-row sprocket 37, which sprocketengages a double-row chain 38 mounted in a channel 39.

The wheel washing mechanism includes end plates 4th Welded with crossbeams 41 and 42 forming a rigid structure, and brackets 43 and 44 areprovided which are-welded with the cross beams 41 and 42 and in whichthe rollers 25 and 26 are journaled. Electromotor 32 isrnounted onbracket 45- welded to beams 41 and 42 by means of channels 46 and 47. Itwill be appreciated from the foregoing description that, when theelectromotor-32 is energized and the clutch 36 is engaged, the wheelwasher, including all mechanism associated with the frame formed by theplates 46 and cross beams 41 and 42, will be caused to travel with thewheels 29 riding onthe rails 30. This movement of the Wheel washer, asdriven by the electromotor 32 as hereinafter described, is utilized onlyfor return of the wheel washer after the completion of .the washing ofan individual wheel in order to place the mechanism in position toreceive a succeeding wheel.

Mounted on the cross beam 41 is a pivot block 48 in which is pivotallymounted an arm 49. Also pivotally mounted on a bracket 50 mounted`adjacent the pivot block 48 is a parallel arm 51. A link 52 pivotallyconnects -the ends of the arms 49 and 51 as shown. An arm 53 is weldedto the arm 49 and pivots therewith. A coil spring 54 is connected at oneend to the arm 49 and at the other end to a spring clip 55 mounted uponthe beam 41. Thus, the spring 54 serves to constantly bias the arms 49and S1 and associated mechanism in a clockwise direction as shown inFigure 5. It will be appreciated that the lett-hand mechanism is amirror image of the right-hand mechanism so that the left-hand mechanismwould be constantly biased in `a counterclockwise direction.

Mounted upon the link 52 by means of a pin 55 is a bracket 56whichserves as a support for nozzles 57 and 5S and brush 59. The bracket 56is xedly attached surface91 and .a concave surface 92.

' ing position .and to the right asl shown in Figure 1.

mobile wheel will remain ixed; that is, despite the pivoting of theparallelogram about the pivots of the brackets 48 and 50, the nozzlesand br-ush remain oriented directly'towards the automobile wheel 110placed uponA the'rollers 25 .and 26.v The arm 53 carries a small roller60 Yadapte'dto engage the cam`plate 61 welded to the underside of theframe as indicated in Figure 1.

`A locking clip 62 is welded to the arm 49. Mounted in a bracket 63aliixed to the underside of [the bracket 43 is a sliding pin 64 movablyjournaled in end plates 65 and 66 of .the bracket 63. 'Ihe pin 64 isheld against accidental displacement by a ball 67 and spring- 68 andconstantly urges Lthe ball 67 into engagement with a groove lin pin 64,as -most clearly shown in Figure 6.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 5, 6 and 7, it will be notedthat there is indicated a pair of shafts 69 :and 70 mounted in theplate40 and in a bracket 71 carried by the plate 40. The shaft 69 is providedwith a collar 72 engaged bya coil spring 73. The shaft 70 is alsomounted in the bracket 71 and is provided with a coil spring 75.

A steam valve 76 is provided mounted on the bracket 71, which valve isof the Vpin-actuated type and is providedwith an actuating pin 77. Anarm 78 is pivotally mounted'adjacent the valve, and the end of the shaft69 is curved over ,and engages a flattened end of the arm';78 at 80. Asecond valve 81 is mounted in the bracket 71, which is a pin-actuatedtype valve the pin of which is extended -to form the shaft 70.

Mounted upon the rail 30 is a cam 90 having -a beveled A cam follower 93is pivoted to the lunderside of the shaft 69, and a cam follower 94 ispivoted .to the end of the shaft 70. A cam 95 'is also provided afxed tothe rail 30 adjacent one end thereof. Both of lthe cam followers adaptedto engage the cam 9S for a purpose hereinafter described.

Mounted upon a beam 100 disposed to one side and longitudinally of theframe is a pair of limit switches 101 and 102 each actuated,respectively, by depressing of rollers 103 and 104 mounted to becontacted by a shoe105 carried by the beam 41.

The operation of the above described device is as followsz'rAssuming themechanism to be in position to receive a wheel 110 to be washed, thecarriage will be inthe extreme left-hand or starting position as shownin Figure l. The parallelogram formed by the arms 49 and 51, vlink 52,etc., will be pivoted as shown in Figure 4 to the extreme left-handposition, i.e., counterclockwise. The opstanding member 112 of thebracket 56 will contact Ithe shaft 69 and retain the same in depressedconditionthus holding the shaft 69 in position .to shut off the supplyof steam to the nozzle 58. The parallelogram remains locked in thisposition by reason of the fact that the locking clip 62 is locked behinddogging mechanismV 115carried by the rail 30. At the same time, the shoe105 has Vengaged the roller 103 to open limit switch 101thereby-shutting off power to the electromotor 32. The mechanism islocked in this position by reason of the roller 93 carried by the shaft69 being engaged in the concave surface 92 of the cam 90 and heldtherein by the bias in the spring 73. An automobile advancing onto therollers 25 vand'26 will cause a slight movement of the automobilewashing mechanism away from the start- As this happens, the shoe 105disengages the roller 103 and permits the limit switch 101 to close,thus energizing the electromotor 32 and causing the roller 25 to bedriven. Y

The driving of the roller 25 will spin the wheel 110 forward. As -thecarriage is given this initial movement by the movement of theautomobile onto the rollers 2,5 and 93 and 94 are` 26, the 4lock-ingclip 62 slips from behind the dogging mechanism 115 and theparallelogram is pivoted clockwise as shown in Figure until the brush 59and nozzles 57 and 5S =are in contact with the wheel to be washed. Theremoval of the parallelogram as aforesaid has disengaged -the member 112from the end of the shaft 69, which shaft 69 carries ,the roller 93. Theinitial movement has .also disengaged the roller 93 from 'the cam 90,thus permitting .the shaft 69 to be moved under the bias of the spring73 to open the valve 76 supplying steam to lthe nozzles 57 and 58.

While I have described the valve 76 as controlling a flow of steam tothe mechanism, it will be realized that in practice the steam is mixedwith and carries a detergent for thoroughly cleaning the vehicle wheels.

The vehicle progresses through the machine by being towed by the chain21 Yand thus the wheel cleaning mechanism is caused -to travel on therails 30 -to the right as shown in Figure l until the wheel cleaningdevice approaches the end of its travel. As the wheel cleaning deviceapproaches the end of its travel, the roller 60 carried by lthe arm 53engages the cam plates 61.V Such engagement causes the parallelogramcomprising the arms 49 and 51 4and link 52 to be pivoted in acounterclockwise direction (see Figure 5) until the lockingV clip 62 isin position .to be engaged by the sliding pin 64 which is pushed to theright by engagement with a stop 118 so as to override the locking Vclip62 and thus retain the parallelogram in its retracted position.

Prior to this time, the roller 94 carried by the shaft 70 has engagedthe cam to open the valve 81 to permit.

during the last one and one-half revolutions of the wheel prior to thefull travel of the wheel through the washing machine.

The arrival of the washing machine at the full length of its travelcauses the shoe to engage the roller 104 carried by the switch 102 tothus open the switch.102,

therebyV shutting ofI" the supply of power to the motor 32 and stoppingthe rollers. After the arrival of the mechanism as aforesaid, the chain21 continues to propel the vehicle, thus causing the wheel to ride olfthe roller 26 and to engage a reverse start switch 130, therebyenergizing the motor 32 in reverse and drivingfthe washing machinemechanism back to its original starting position.

During the return of the washing machine mechanism, the parallelogramremains in its retracted position by reason of the fact that the slidingpin 64 engages the locking clip 62. As the mechanism'thus travelstowards its initial position, the roller 94 disengages the cam 95 andthe water supply to the nozzle 120 is shut off. As the mechanism4approaches its initial starting position, the dogging mechanism 115engages the sliding pin 64 and unlocks the parallelogram. However, theparallelogram remains in the retracted position as it is then dogged bythe dogging mechanism 115.

As the carriage thus approaches the initial position, the beam 41engages a shock absorber 140 which is provided with a spring 141 adaptedyto absorb the shock of the returning mechanism. It will be noted thatthe return movement of the carriage under the force of electromotor 32in practice is quite rapid in comparison to forward movement thereof,.inorder to have the carriage ready to receive a closely following wheel.The shock absorber cushions -this return movement. As the mecham'sm thusapproaches theY starting position, the roller 105 engages the roller 103of the switch 102, which switch 102 serves not only as a forwardstarting switch but also as a reverse stop switch.Y

Simultaneously, the cam follower 93 carried by the shaft 69 engages thecam 90 locking in the concave surface 92 thereof. The shaft 69 beingspring-biased by the spring 73, the roller 93 is thus held under tensionin the concave surface 92, which prevents the Washing mechanism fromspringing back after contact with the shock absorber 140. The device isnow in condition to receive another automobile Wheel and thus completelthe cycle.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be thepreferred embodiment of the presen-t invention, it will be appreciatedby those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications maybe made therein without departing from the essense of the invention andit is intended to cover herein all such changes and modications withinthe true spirit and scope of the appended claims. In particular, it willbe obvious that hydraulic mechanism rather than mechanical or electricalcan be utilized to 4actuate the carriage and this hydraulic mechanismmay employ either oil, Water or air.

I claim:

1. A vehicle wheel Washing apparatus comprising: a rack, means forpropelling a vehicle continuously along said rack, means for sprayingsteam and detergent on -a wheel of said vehicle, `said spraying meansbeing arranged to travel with and to continue said spraying during aportion of the travel of said vehicle along said rack, said apparatusincluding a carriage, a pair of rails, Wheels mounting said carriage onsaid rails for travel thereon, a pair of spaced rollers adapted toreceive and support a vehicle Wheel, means including said spaced rollersmounted on said carriage for revolving said Wheel during travel of saidcarriage, said spraying means including a steam and detergent spraynozzle mounted on said carriage, said nozzle being mounted for movementtoward and away from said vehicle Wheel, and spring means constantlybiasing said nozzle toward said Wheel whereby said nozzle is adapted tobe properly positioned to spray Wheels of vehicles of varying Wheelbases.

2. A vehicle Wheel Washing apparatus comprising: a rack, means forpropelling a vehicle continuously along said rack, means for sprayingsteam and detergent on a Wheel of said vehicle, said spraying meanslbeing arranged to travel with and to continue said spraying during aportion of the travel of said vehicle along said rack, said apparatusincluding a carriage, a pair of rails, Wheels mounting said carriage onsaid rails for travel thereon, a pair of spaced rollers adapted toreceive and support a vehicle Wheel, means including said spaced rollersmounted on said carriage for revolving said Wheel during travel of saidcarriage, said spraying means including a steam and detergent spraynozzle mounted on said carriage, an associated brush mounted on saidcarriage, said nozzle and brush being mounted for movement toward andaway from said vehicle Wheel, and spring means constantly biasing saidbrush toward said Wheel whereby said brush is adapted to engage wheelsof vehicles of varying wheel bases.

3. A vehicle wheel washing apparatus comprising: a rack, means forpropelling a vehicle continuously along said rack, means for sprayingsteam and detergent on a Wheel of said vehicle, said spraying meansbeing arranged to travel with and to continue said spraying during aportion of the travel of said vehicle along said rack, said apparatusincluding a carriage, a pair of rails, wheels mounting said carriage onsaid rails for travel thereon, a pair of spaced rollers adapted toreceive and support a vehicle Wheel, means including said spaced rollersmounted on said carriage for revolving said Wheel during travel of saidcarriage, means carried by said carriage and adapted to return saidcarriage to initial position after completion of said travel, and saidcarriage being propelled during initial travel by the vehicle propellingmeans.

4. A vehicle wheel Washing apparatus comprising: a rack, means forpropelling a vehicle continuously along said rack, means for sprayingsteam and detergent on a wheel of said vehicle, said spraying meansbeing arranged to travel with and to continue said spraying during aportion of the travel of said vehicle along said rack, said apparatusincluding a canriage, a pair of rails, Wheels mounting said carriage onsaid rails for travel thereon, a pair of spaced rollers adapted toreceive and support a vehicle Wheel, means including said spaced rollersmounted on said carriage for revolving said wheel during travel of saidcarriage, means carried by said carriage and adapted to return saidcarriage to initial position after completion of said travel, saidcarriage being propelled during initial travel by the vehicle propellingmeans, and shock absorbing means arranged to engage and to restrain saidcarriage on completion of its return movement.

5. A vehicle washing apparatus comprising: means for propelling avehicle continuously through said apparatus, means for spraying steamand detergent on a Wheel of said vehicle, said spraying means beingarranged to travel with and to continue said spraying during a portionof the travel of said vehicle through said apparatus, said apparatusincluding a carriage, a pair of rails extending along the path of travelof said vehicle, Wheels mounting said carriage on said rails for travelthereon, a pair of spaced rollers adapted to receive and support avehicle wheel, means including said spaced rollers mounted on saidcarriage for revolving said Wheel during travel of said carriage, meansadapted to return said carriage to initial position after completion ofsaid travel, and said carriage being propelled during initial travel bythe vei hicle propelling means.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,412,732 Young Apr. 11, 1922 1,682,902 Gibson Sept. 4, 1928 1,740,014Hawkins Dec. 17, 1929 1,931,444 Mackin Oct. 17, 1933 2,636,198 WilsonApr. 28, 1953 2,692,214 Hurst Oct. 17, 1954 2,761,170 Bonneau Sept. 4,1956

